Training on tuber crops held in Wokha

The ICAR–CTCRI NEH Training Programme on ‘Improved varieties and value addition technologies in tuber Crops’ was held at Tiyi Hall, Wokha on March 12.
The programme was organised by the ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Wokha, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) Wokha and Mission Shakti – Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), in convergence with the district administration, Wokha.
Speaking at the programme, Deputy Commissioner (DC)of Wokha, Vineet Kumar appreciated the CTCRI team for travelling all the way from Kerala to conduct the training in Wokha. He noted that although Nagaland is the fourth-largest producer of cassava (tapioca) in the country, the crop is not widely utilised commercially in the state.
He said the training would greatly benefit farmers by helping them understand the value-addition potential of tuber crops and encouraged them to focus on learning new techniques rather than attending only for free tools and machinery. He emphasised that value addition could help farmers generate income and contribute to economic growth.
The context of the training programme was presented by principal scientist and NEH Project PI of CTCRI Dr. R. Muthuraj. He also informed that a proposal has been submitted to the DC to establish a village incubation centre to support farmers and promote tuber-based enterprises in the district. He assured farmers that the institute would continue to provide training and technical assistance whenever required.
Technical sessions included presentations on value addition and entrepreneurship development in tuber crops by Dr. Jaya M. S., improved production technologies on tropical tuber crops by Dr. R. Muthuraj, and AI and IoT applications in tuber crops by Dr. V. S. Santhosh Mithra.
The programme also featured practical demonstrations on value addition where farmers and Self Help Groups (SHGs) were given hands-on training on preparing chips and other value-added products from tuber crops. The event concluded with interaction with farmers, distribution of agricultural farm equipment, and distribution of bio-capsules.